Overview
- Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Hurricane has recently increased patrols in Bolton and seized six offending bikes after drone and bike‑unit patrols located riders and abandoned machines.
- Cleveland Police’s dedicated task force, which has been operational for about five weeks, reports roughly 67 illegal bikes seized and 24 suspected stolen vehicles recovered during targeted patrols.
- Officers are deploying drones, neighbourhood bike units, and electric police bikes to track riders, follow machines to hiding places, and make fast intercepts when riders fail to stop.
- Police have urged residents to send tips with locations, storage details, rider descriptions, registration numbers, and photos or videos using 101, force live chat, or Crimestoppers to help build prosecutions.
- Local councillors say the bikes have caused real fear for families and children, and forces are sharing intelligence with neighbouring areas so theft links can be investigated and suspects prosecuted.